Feminism has been a long-standing debate and source of contention among the secular and spiritual realms for literally hundreds of years.
However, before we seek to understand feminism, and more so how God defines it, let’s start with a little history that inspired it all.
The first wave of feminism began in 1848 when the Women’s Suffrage Movement. This was the essential starting point for women's equality. Women stood up for their rights, especially their right to vote.
In the mid-1950s, the Civil Rights Movement was a call to end discrimination, racial segregation, and prejudice. However, this was also a vital part of the Women’s Rights Movement as women demanded equal rights and pay as men.
In 1973, the revolutionary ruling of Roe vs. Wade made abortion care legal and more accessible. Then, most recently, in 2022, the overturn of Roe vs. Wade decided to eliminate the constitutional right to abortion.
Basically, the Women’s Rights Movement started out with a mission and goal to obtain essential rights for women. However, over time, that view has been somewhat corroded, as the focus isn’t solely on women anymore.
In fact, it has placed many lives in jeopardy by essentially destroying the God-given roles placed upon men and women, and the consequences have been devastating.
So, how should Christians handle this controversial topic? Can a Christian woman be a feminist?
If we really want to answer these questions, we need to see how God defines feminism and what He has to say about His design of womanhood.
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1. Feminism Vs. Femininity
Feminism is not a biblical term. In fact, it was developed by French philosopher, Charles Fourier, in 1837, who held a rather radical and utopian belief about society for his day.
While several of his ideas were to enhance the lives of women and to bring equality to the workforce, his views on marriage and family were quite the opposite and glaringly oppressive.
Femininity on the other hand, while not specifically noted in the Bible either, is referred to as biblical womanhood.
One of the first verses that may come to mind when it comes to defining womanhood is found in the Book of Proverbs. We see the lengthy and often overwhelming list of the qualities and traits that the Proverbs 31 woman possesses (Proverbs 31:10-31).
Yet, God is very clear about how He views His beloved and precious daughters. We are not just commodities to be won, second-class citizens, or a girl who somehow can’t make her own decisions.
Actually, God’s Word declares quite the opposite. He sees us as priceless treasures to be honored, cherished, and protected.
Genesis 2:18 tells us that God tells man that it is not good for him to be alone and therefore made a woman to help him.
In 1 Corinthians 11:12, Paul tells us that women and men need one another and depend on one another to live peacefully in society.
1 Peter 3:7 points out that husbands are to honor their wives.
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2. Males and Females Have Equal Worth to God
While the current trend of the Women’s Rights Movement is to cause a rift and divide between the role and worth of men and women, we must seek to understand how God views both His sons and daughters.
Let’s start with the most common verse found in Genesis 1:27. God created them both male and female — in His own image. This infamous verse claims that there are only two sexes, and God designed, created, and breathed life into each form, a body that is in His own likeness.
That point goes to show that God took (and still takes) great pride in the making of a human being and sees each creation as equally valuable.
That being said, we are His only creation that came with a built-in moral compass (being made in His image) and designed to hold various personalities, qualities, gifts, and attributes to share and offer this world.
Friend, it isn’t hard to see that we hold a special place in God’s heart. After all, we are called His most prized possession and the ones He deeply adores (James 1:18).
We may have been designed differently, but our worth and value to God are the same — utterly priceless.
Galatians 3:28 claims that neither Jew nor Gentile, or male or female are different, as all are one in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23 claims that we all have sinned and fall short of His glory and are in need of salvation. He longs for each of us to have a relationship with Him.
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3. Women Are Designed with Unique Qualities
Men and women may both have equal value and access to the blessing of our gracious God, but that doesn’t mean that we were designed to be one and the same.
God made men and women to complement one another, not compete with one another for love, worth, and value.
Unfortunately, many women have bought into the lie that feminism will empower them, and free them from the grip they feel men have over them.
However, when men and women embrace their God-given roles and unique set of qualities, each will see that living in obedience to God’s Word will help them live an abundant life — together in harmony (Psalm 119:45).
In a world that has a hard time defining what a woman is, God’s Word is very clear — a woman is a masterpiece that can live boldly, walk proudly, and live passionately, all while being gracious, loving, and kind.
While science says a woman is an adult version of a female possessing double x chromosomes, she is so much more than her DNA.
A God-fearing woman is truly a beautiful gift to this world (Luke 1:45, 1 Corinthians 15:10). Her grace, humility, and poise offer the gentle softness this rough world needs (Proverbs 31:20-21).
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4. Both Men and Women Play a Vital Role in the Family Unit
Women have sadly been led to believe that their role in the family is something that ties them down or devalues them as human beings. This has unfortunately led to devastating consequences and the loss of so many lives.
The role that Roe vs. Wade played (and still plays) has been an active part and is still one that unfolds today as many women seek to understand their role within the family.
The truth is that God’s design and meaningful purpose for a family is simple, and it starts with a covenant between one man and one woman as they take an oath before God and say, “I do.” (Genesis 2:24).
That covenant says that together they claim to honor, cherish, and value one another in all their days, regardless of their circumstances, until death do them part.
If men and women were to truly live that out, men would first submit to Christ and follow His example. He would aim to love his wife as Christ did the church and cherish, adore, and honor her.
He would willfully provide and protect her, and in seeing her as the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7), He would easily offer to lay down his life for her.
If men led their family in this manner, women would willingly submit to their husband knowing he was submitting to Christ.
She would respect him as head of the household, and present herself in a holy way, as pure and whole-heartedly devoted to him (Proverbs 5:26).
When we strive to build a family according to God’s will and way, we see that marriage and family matter so deeply to our God, and He highly values the meaning and sanctity of all life.
As women, we have the distinct honor and privilege of bringing children into this world and raising them to reverently fear and faithfully love our God (Provers 22:6).
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5. Biblical Womanhood by Divine Design
Biblical womanhood is a part of God’s beautiful and purposeful design. However, it will look vastly different than the ways of this world.
Feminism calls for us to place our focus on equality and our ability to make changes for what we deem to be better.
But sadly, that mocks what God already ordained and put into place in His Word. Where feminism wants equal rights for men and women, God declares we are each uniquely made, and being equal does not necessarily mean we need the same things.
While the debate still remains and claims that all women are called to be submissive, virtuous mothers, and happy-go-lucky homemakers like that is some sort of bad thing, let me say this, God never said all women have to be married and have children, and serve only at home.
Each woman is called by God to use her gifts and talents to serve Him according to His will. That may be to get married and have children or to stay single and live purposefully for Him.
That may be to raise a family at home or to work outside the home. One is not better than the other if we seek wisdom and discernment and line up our lives with God’s will.
Proverbs 31 isn’t the only depiction of womanhood either. Let’s take a deeper look into what God’s Word has to say about being a woman of God.
1 Timothy 3:11 tells us we must be worthy of respect and full of self-control.
Ruth 3:11 offers a beautiful example of living without fear.
1 Peter 3:3-4 calls for us to not place so much focus on our outer beauty but place it on being gentle and quiet seeking God to tell us of our worth.
As followers of Christ, we must embrace the way He views His beloved sons and daughters. It is evident that God sees both men and women as equal, valuable, worthy, and loved.
He created each with a specific purpose and allows us to use our roles to bring Him glory through the means of His perfect family design.
As we seek His will for our lives, we are able to serve Him through the gifts He has so graciously given us.
So, let’s not place our focus on the man-made terms of this world, but place our sights on the spoken Word tucked within the precious pages of the Bible.
For further reading:
5 Lies Women Believe about Their Place in the Family
How Did Jesus Treat Women in the Bible?
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Originally published Tuesday, 21 November 2023.